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This past July 4th my family and I decided to spend the day at Splish Splash, located at 2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton, NY. Since we are always looking for ways to cool off as a family in the New York area, Splish Splash was the perfect water wonderland for us. The drive took about an hour from Queens. Having done some research in advance of our visit to Splish Splash, I wanted to share some of that with you here. First, my 8 year old daughter shares her thoughts here (she actually typed this):

“It’s full of water. There are so many rides that you can’t’ go on all of them. Splish Splash has the best rides ever. Lazy River was very relaxing all you had to do was sit on the floatie while it went down the river. After that we went to eat ice cream and funnel cake. The funnel cake had tons of sugar. Dinosaur Falls was a twirly slide it wasn’t that scary but it was really fun”.

Before you head out to Splish Splash, here are some hints and tips to make your time there as enjoyable as possible.

Arrive between 9:00-9:30 in the morning and get a parking space next to the picnic area. This was very important to us, as we are a family that keeps strictly kosher and no outside food is allowed into Splish Splash. The parking prices vary; $12.00 per day for general parking and $20.00 for a parking spot closer to the main entrance. The picnic benches are near right next to the general parking. The walk is not so bad, and besides, the kids get all excited upon seeing the water rides awaiting them.

Here are the prices for entry into the park. There are seasons passes available and you can find out more about them here.

AT THE PARK

ONLINE (SAVE $2)

General Admission

$39.99

$37.99

Under 48” tall, Seniors 60 and over

$29.99

$27.99

Children 2 years old & under

Free

Free

Once you are in the park and you do not want to schlep a lot of gear around with you, lockers are available for rent. We chose a small cubby type locker for under $3. Being that this is a day full of moments you want to capture with your camera, bring them. You can find waterproof fanny packs online, highly recommended. As far as towels, suntan lotion, and other items are concerned, a small beach bag or backpack will do.

I want to express how impressed both my husband and I were with the safety at Splish Splash. There are lifeguards at the end of each water slide. Something else that we greatly appreciated was that height requirements were easily visible and the beginning of each water slide and attraction. On their website, they strongly recommend all Guests under 48″ or who are weak or non-swimmers wear Coast Guard approved lifejackets where appropriate. In the wave pool, all guests under 48″ are REQUIRED to wear a lifejacket and be accompanied by an adult. Lifejackets are available in Guest Services. A $40.00 deposit or valid photo ID is required.

Since there are 98-acres of water fun at Splish Splash, a very smart and savvy mom friend of mine suggested starting at the back of the park first. This way, the lines are not as long. If you do not have special dietary requirements, there is no shortage of food at Splish Splash. We noticed a lot of families eating the homestyle french fries and dippin’ chicken. Since we keep kosher, we did find some treats to enjoy as we sat down by the Lazy River. The Dippin Dots ice cream is (kosher) and the Funnel Cakes are (OU-D). My very smart kosher keeping mom friend brought a cooler of food and went back to her car to have lunch. She was the one that also advised me to arrive early and get a parking spot next to the picnic benches. We really enjoyed sitting by the Lazy River while the kids had ice cream and funnel cakes. I was transported into a complete place of vacationing. I felt like I was a million miles away from my home, I didn’t want the moment to escape me. I also wanted to mention that the background music at Splish Splash is excellent. I thought it was Pandora, but I was informed by Splish Splash that they create the playlist on their own. It was the perfect blend of music from the 70s to current musical artists of today.

Since Splish Splash has the entire family in mind, we spent time in a few different places that families with young children will want to visit. We spent a lot of time at Pirates Cove, which has an interactive pirate ship complete with water cannons, climbing ropes and slides that translate to hours of fun. Height restriction of under 44″ unless accompanied by a child. The kids also really enjoyed the Octopus Pool, perfect for little kids. Height restriction of under 44″ unless accompanied by a child. Other rides we really enjoyed at Splish Splash:

Dinosaur Falls – Tube Slide Grab your raft for a daredevil expedition into the wilds of prehistory. Fortunately, the water runs fast, so you should keep just ahead of the dinosaurs. Be warned: the only thing bigger than their teeth is their appetite! Height restriction 42” (under 42” with an adult must be able to hold correct riding posture). Weight limit of 250lbs single rider, 400lbs combined.

Dragon’s Den – This is the only ride my youngest was not able to go on during our visit. This tube slide does have height restriction of 48”, and a weight limit 400lbs combined. This does require 2 people in a tube. If you are an odd number of people, like we were, you can definitely find a nice person in line to accompany you too.

Lazy River – This was also an absolute treasure, full of surprise sprays of water along the way. The heat was defeated and I was transplanted to what felt like a tropical island, yet I had never left Long Island. This is the most relaxing tube ride, set on the gentle current of a beautifully landscaped river.

Dinasour Falls – This tube slide was one of my daughter’s favorites. This fantastic swirl of a ride had us giggling with excitement; each twist and turn brought forth just enough water to keep us cool. There are height restrictions 42” (under 42” with an adult must be able to hold correct riding posture). Weight limit of 250lbs single rider, 400lbs combined.

The day went so fast and soon it was time for us to go home. Splish Splash is a place I would visit again and again. Whether you are a mom with a toddler, or a family with teens, Splish Splash should be on your agenda this summer.

As a family within close proximity of Citi Field, we have officially become fans of the New York Mets. As a part of the #metsmoms, I get to share great ways for you to experience a New York Mets ballgame with your family.

We have gone a few times and my kids always have so much fun. Whether it is at Fan Fest or just chanting “LET’S GO METS”, they are now loyal and devoted fans. I also love sharing great ways for your family to also enjoy a day at Citi Field cheering on the Mets.

This coming Sunday, you can experience a Private Meet-&-Greet with Mr. & Mrs. Met from 11:45am-12:15pm OR 12:45pm-1:05pm in the Mets Café

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You will find on my blog a lot of product reviews, travel stories, and new foods. I love sharing that with you here. Another area that love to write about is about organizations that give. There is one particular organization that is near and dear to my heart. Renewal you will learn more about that below). This organization is incredible and if you live in the New York area, you will want to attend their Third Annual Food & Wine Tasting Event with wines by Herzog Wine Cellars. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend this event with my husband and it was phenomenal. More than 500 people came out to celebrate an evening of Renewal at the TriBeCa Rooftop, located at 2 Desbrosses Street in New York. The event will take place at this beautiful location again on July 29, from 7pm-11pm. My husband and I made it our “date night” and we plan to do so every year from now on. Yes, we do go out on dates more often than that! However, this was such an incredible event that it has become a part of our lives as well.

The ambiance is sophisticated and stylish while the views of NYC spectacular. The purpose behind this event is to benefit Renewal and all of the incredible work they do to save lives. The people behind this organization are very special. They are involved in each of these living donor transplantations, both physically and spiritually. They go to the hospital on the day of the surgery and they send out an email before each surgery with the names of both the donor and recipient with Tehillim (psalms) included. Does donating a kidney slow you down? Absolutely not! I know a mom in Canada that donated a kidney to her brother several years ago. She has since had 4 healthy children and trained for a few marathons as well. Amazingly, each of Renewal’s previous events have brought forth kidney donors that resulted in successful transplants. Renewal has facilitated over 200 living donor kidney transplants in the six years since its inception. I loved that these donors are recognized in a beautiful book. You never know, a kidney donation may be in your future? Learn more about Renewal at http://www.life-renewal.org. Interested in attending the event, please go to https://renewal.ticketbud.com/wine2013.

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The warm weather and sunny skies has all of us enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Summer has always been my favorite time of year. As a kid, I never was affected by the humidity like I am now. This past week was especially humid and I knew that I had to compile a list of places to escape it. I found a great place that to escape the heat but still enjoy the wonders of the sea at the Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Discovery Times Square. Stay cool and dive-in without getting wet and explore SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure, an interactive, multi-media exhibit containing more than 500 artifacts from deep-ocean expeditions around the world.

You might be wondering about how this could be possible. Well, with the help of Odyssey’s unparalleled deep-sea archaeological and technological capabilities, SHIPWRECK! brings a unique look into the depths of the ocean through a mix of actual historical artifacts and hands-on, interactive computer games and exhibits. This is a great outing for people of all ages; the exhibit helps to bring history to life by uncovering priceless knowledge from the depths of the sea. Artifacts found at the exhibit, such as rare bottles, porcelain figurines, and a 300-year-old carpenter’s folding ruler, will transport guests back in time as they get an up close and personal look at over 2,000 years of nautical history. Treasure seekers will find a stunning collection of gold and silver recovered from the deep, including the first ever display of silver recovered from the SS Gairsoppa over three miles deep.

This exhibit is 20 years in the making and Greg Stemm, Odyssey Chief Executive Officer, worked with the team that discovered hundreds of shipwrecks in the deep ocean. The shipwrecks cover a very large portion of history, ranging from 2,000 year old Roman wrecks to WWII U-boats, and last year set a world record by recovering over 40 tons of silver from a shipwreck nearly three miles deep. This exhibit is an absolute treasure for the general public and Discovery Times Square is a premiere venue. SHIPWRECK! provides the ultimate artifact viewing experience and visitors can get up close and personal with those discovered by the team. Additionally, the tools and technology necessary to explore the deep ocean will be on display as well.

One of the exhibit’s most coveted highlights is the wreck of the SS Republic, a Civil War-era side-wheel steamship which sank to the bottom of the ocean in 1865 due to a ferocious storm. The Republic, yielding over 51,000 silver and gold coins and 14,000 artifacts, was discovered by Odyssey 1,700 feet below the surface of the Atlantic in 2003 and now provides visitors with a detailed look at life in America in the late 19th century.

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure also offers guests the chance to put their skills to the test by piloting a virtual submersible over the Republic wreck site and scouring for artifacts with an operable model of Odyssey’s remotely Operated VehicleZEUS’ robotic arm. The exhibit’s Hurricane Simulator also pushes guests’ strength to the limit as they face up against 75-mph winds.

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I was recently selected to be one of the bloggers to exclusively debut the new trailer for DELIVERY MAN. When I first heard the title of the film, I immediately thought it must be about a UPS person and I had visions of somebody in a brown shirt and shorts. As soon as I saw the trailer, I found out I was way off about this idea. In fact, this film is about a different type of delivery; one that can change a life in an instant.

“Delivery Man,” is the story of affable underachiever David Wozniak, whose mundane life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered 533 children through sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things couldn’t look worse for David when he is hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor. As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

Vince Vaughn plays the role of David, and as we all know, he delivers quite the performance in any role he plays. I first saw him in Swingers when he played Trent. He was the friend with confidence and security in this film, sure of his purpose. He was always listening to his friend Mike and his troubles. Now comes along a film, Delivery Man, where his character is about to embark upon something he has no prior experience; fatherhood. How will he do?

This is what we will all find out when the movie hits theaters on November 22, 2013. When I think about how being a parent changed me, I hope that it will do the same for David. Sure, you can read all of the “how to” books and get courage from personal blogs, however, that will not be exactly how you will process each situation. There is something in us all, our own personal experiences tucked away from our own childhood, that comes out in those situations. It brings out something in us that can’t be found in a book. For example, when I sent my daughter to school for the first time, I was in tears. Would she be safe? Would she make friends? Would she miss me? As the years have gone and she has grown, each new experience she embarks upon I find myself there with here if not physically, but mentally. I want her and her siblings to succeed in everything they do. I want them to have great days, make good friends, and share. However, there will be bumps along the way. Not just on the knee or elbow, but in each thing that they do. Things don’t always work out the way we plan for our children. They many not make friends, they may not like school, and they may not be the ballerina we had hoped they would be. It is in these situations when I know that they need both my husband and I the most. This is when, as parents, we grow and learn the most about ourselves!

Whether you are a parent, and aunt, uncle, or grandparent, don’t you feel that you have learned just as much from kids and teens as they have from you?

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Prime Time Parenting sent this mommy blogger and world saver (www.Save1person.org) on another magical experience. In the heat and humidity of New York City in the summer, I was escorted into a different time zone thanks to the folks at Disney.

When I walked into the building, it was Christmas and Chanukah time. In true Disney style, the red carpet was rolled out to showcase their upcoming collection for the holiday season. From Mickey and Minnie to glitzy nail polish from our favorite mermaid, Ariel. New on the

Disney scene and wildly popular is the Sofia the First Magical talking doll. Did you know even vampires can be cute? Thanks to Disney, Vamprina Ballernia will be a big hit this holiday season too.

What I liked the best was the makeovers at the event. I am happy that Disney has products for us big kids, after all, we all have a little bit of the Disney Magic leftover from childhood. It’s never too early, or too late, to wish upon star and get in on some of the hottest holiday gifts for the old and young from Disney.

Disclaimer: Lauren attended this preview event and the opinions here are her own. Samples of some of the new products from this event were distributed.

Prime Time Parenting sent this mommy blogger and world saver (www.Save1person.org) on another delightful and fun adventure in New York City. I was sent to scout out the best coconut drink for kids.

Lauren Finkelstein of save1person.org

Recently, I was in the Dominican Republic on a short holiday. And one thing I love about the tropics is when the locals come around with a coconut and cut it in front of you, and serve you the coconut water. It’s delicious. Who knew there’s a company that makes a drink like this for city folk too.

Vita Coco makes such a drink. I went to their event promoting their new kid drink Vita Coco Kids, and I served it to my son and he gave it the thumbs up: healthy, tasty, and filling. Who knew the tropics could be as close as Target or Amazon. If you want a taste of the Caribbean without leaving your house, you may want to check out Vita Coco or Vita Coco for Kids.

The story behind Vita Coco is fantastic, you’ve got to read it. Bring the tropics to you and your kids, check out where you can find Vita Coco kids and why it is so good for your entire family!

My birthday was this week in New York. I am full of emotions (maybe freaked out is a better word) that I am now officially 45 years old. When did that happen? Wasn’t I just the little girl with curly black hair and a dimples on my face that all bubbies would kvell over?

As a kid, my mother always made sure I had a birthday party with a lovely cake, fun games, and prizes. Since I am a summer baby, my birthday parties were always in the backyard. My older brothers and sister would help out with the preparations and all I had to do was put on my party dress and show-up. Fast forward many years, and I have become very low key about my birthday. My husband really wanted me to have some friends over (he is quite the cook and promised to make something delicious). While part of me wanted to bask in the celebration with friends, I took more of an introspective route this year. Instead of celebrating outwardly, I decided to look at how I could make 45 an even better year than 44.

I actually started this process back in February when I gave-up processed foods, desserts, white flour, and sugar. You can say that I have ‘turned over a new leaf’. By eliminating these foods, I feel better than ever and I find myself more positive. For example, the little things don’t bother me as much as they did before. I have learned to accept the things I can’t change and proceed with positivity in the things that I can achieve. It is so easy to look around at what everybody else is doing (all you have to do is go on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram). However, there was a time in February when I saw a photo of myself and I wanted to cry; I didn’t look healthy at all. My skin looked grey and my entire body looked bloated. I was so disappointed by that picture, and quite frankly, I was feeling sick about it. It was my own fault. I knew how I got to looking that way, I wasn’t careful about the foods in my life. I knew that it was time to look at food differently and start only to eat foods that would benefit my health. I allowed myself to feel bad for a day and then it was time to move on.

It has been four months since my initial journey to #flatthefat began. While my mind is feeling good, I need to take extra measures to get the weight off of me. While I have every type of body shaping and slimming garment in my drawer, I hate how they make me feel. While these items may flatten one area, the fat just gets pushed out over the sides. It has to go somewhere, right? The only other solution (plastic surgery is not an option here) to #flatthefat is to add on exercise. So, I decided to start swimming. Have you tried it lately? I am obsessed! I felt great mentally and physically. However, the weight is not coming off as it did for me in my 20s and 30s. I am adding yet another element to my #flatthefat regime; I am turning over a new #tealeaf. I recently read an article in Prevention Magazine about tea and how it could give my lazy metabolism the extra push it so desperately needs. In fact, the article, The Metabolism Miracle For Women Over 40. Did you know that according to Japanese researchers green or oolong tea can give my metabolism what it needs? I have actually tried this recipe and I wanted to share this incredible Metabolism-Boosting Iced Lemon-and-Ginger Green Tea mentioned in the article, here it is:

So, here I am, on this Friday, drinking my Bigelow Chinese Oolong tea. I am finding my new, energized 45 year old self, eager to continue #turningoveranewleaf and sharing it with you here. Who says that youth has to be wasted on the young, why night live your best life in the #primetime.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a great night out in New York City with my husband. The truth is, we are usually too tired to venture into NYC after a full-day of work. I am not trying to kvetch here, but this type of stuff is especially tiring for a couple of Prime Time Parents like us. You know, getting kids off to school, working at our respective jobs, getting kids’ home from school, homework, dinner, baths, books, and bed. Even younger parents get tired, you know who you are. So, we’re tired. So, we went out anyway. So glad we did, because the Blue Man Group at the Astor Theater in NYC is just what we needed! Have you seen the Blue Man Group?

I actually had seen the show in Chicago over 20 years ago. I can still remember how cool and engaging it was to me back then. How they made the most amazing jam sessions come to life with rubber tubing is still a mystery to me. The performance art in this show is fantastic, and that’s without a word from the Blue Man Group!

The show has kept up with modern themes and has incorporated the role that texting and social media plays in our daily lives. The GiPad Apple parody was very entertaining. You can catch a sneak peak of it in the clip below.

If you want to be entertained and amused, this is the show for you. We had great seats, just far enough away from flying twinkies debris or Captain Crunch particles (that happens on the first level). However, a Blue Man did jump up to the railing and danced in front of us on the 2nd level. I haven’t laughed so hard, nor has my husband, in a very long time. We had so much fun we forgot how tired we were!

If you are looking for a fun night out in a very cool neighborhood, definitely check out The Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theater, 434 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003. The show is non-stop and runs for 1 hour and 45 minutes without intermission (yes, use the facilities before). If you are taking public transportation, it is just a 2 minute walk from the 6 train at Lafayette Street. After the show, grab a coffee at the Starbucks at 25 Astor Place, biggest one I’ve seen yet! I definitely want to go back there with my laptop and work.

You can buy tickets here, or go to the Astor Place Theater website for more information on the show. You can also keep up with them via these social media platforms: